MLB Player News

Boxberger tossed a scoreless ninth inning and got the save in Arizona's win over Colorado on Friday, walking one and striking out two.

Boxberger was named the Diamondbacks' closer over Archie Bradley just prior to the start of the regular season and manager Torey Lovullo did indeed turn to the 29-year-old righty for ninth-inning duty in Friday's win. Bradley's presence could make Boxberger's leash shorter than usual should he run into any struggles, but for now he's the reliever to own in the Arizona bullpen.

Pivetta came away with a no-decision Friday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks over four innings while striking out three in the Phillies' 5-4 extra-inning victory over Atlanta.

Pivetta labored Friday, needing 73 pitches to get through four innings before his departure from the contest. The 25-year-old threw 133.0 innings as a rookie for the Phillies last year and posted a 6.02 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He's best left on waiver wires in standard mixed leagues until he shows consistent improvement on those numbers.

Nelson was moved to the 60-day DL prior to Friday's game.

This was strictly a procedural move in order to add Dan Jennings to the active roster. Nelson will likely remain on the shelf until July while working his way back from shoulder surgery he underwent this past September.

Neris surrendered a three-run home run to Nick Markakis in the bottom of the ninth inning of Thursday's Opening Day loss to Atlanta.

The Phillies' bullpen took over for Aaron Nola during the sixth inning with a five-run lead, only to let the Braves chip away and eventually tie it up in the eighth before winning it with Markakis' three-run shot off Neris in the final frame. The Phillies have hinted at the possibility of using Neris in a flexible bullpen role this season, so it will be interesting to see how things unfold when the first few save chances arise in the weeks ahead, especially since he entered Thursday's game in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied at 5-5 in a high-leverage, but non-save, situation.

McGrath (elbow) recorded one out in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Brewers.

McGrath was slowed by an elbow injury late in camp, but the setback did not prevent him from taking the mound Opening Day. The left-hander figures to work situationally for the Padres out of the gate.

Blach (1-0) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings in a win over the Dodgers on Thursday.

Called upon after Madison Bumgarner (hand) and Jeff Samardzija (pectoral) went down, Blach turned in results befitting of an Opening Day starter. He enjoyed a fair amount of success against the Dodgers last year as well, finishing with a 3.20 ERA in 25.1 innings against the Giants' division rival. The lefty lines up for two starts next week, and one of those starts will come against these same Dodgers, but the 3:3 K:BB suggests little has changed with Blach's overall profile. He had the lowest K/9 rate among qualified starters last season and a bottom-20 FIP.

Manager Bruce Bochy (elbow) said that he thinks it's realistic that Melancon can be ready to go "within a couple weeks," Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Melancon was officially placed on the 10-day DL with a right elbow flexor strain prior to Thursday's Opening Day contest against the Dodgers. Though Bochy appeared hopeful, he admitted that it will be difficult to pin down a clear timetable until the right-hander resumes throwing. In his absence, Hunter Strickland will temporarily work the ninth-inning role.

Garcia (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Garcia is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in October of 2016, and the Dodgers won't rush him back. In six Cactus League appearances this spring, Garcia notched a 6.35 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 5.2 innings. He holds a 3.12 ERA and 81:12 K:BB across 75 career innings, so he could work his way into a key setup role once healthy.

Estevez (oblique) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

We already knew he'd open the year on the DL, but the Rockies made it official on Opening Day. Once healthy, Estevez should serve as a middle reliever.

Hoffman (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

This is not surprising, as he has been dealing with shoulder soreness since early March. There is no firm timetable for Hoffman's return, so consider him out indefinitely for now.